Federal agent warns Chicago 'ICE‑free zones' hamper ICE operations as Mayor Johnson signs order
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order creating “ICE‑free zones” that bar federal immigration agents from using city‑owned property — including parking lots and garages — for staging, processing or operations, directing agencies to identify targeted sites and post notices within five days and allowing private businesses to refuse ICE access; the move was coordinated with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and comes amid Illinois and Chicago litigation seeking to block recent federal National Guard deployments. A federal special agent told Fox News such limits often force ICE to prepare in public venues, exposing operations and potentially emboldening protesters, while the White House blasted the order as “a disgusting betrayal of every law‑abiding citizen.”
Legal
Immigration
Politics
Public Safety
Military
📌 Key Facts
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order creating 'ICE‑free zones' that prohibit federal immigration agents from using city‑owned property (including parking lots and garages) for staging, processing or operations; the order directs city agencies to identify spaces targeted in past raids and post notices within five days, and it enables private businesses to refuse ICE use of their property.
- A federal special agent told Fox News that sanctuary policies barring ICE from municipal property often force agents to prepare in public venues (for example, supermarkets and office parks), which can expose and hamper enforcement operations.
- Illinois and the City of Chicago filed a federal lawsuit on Oct. 6, 2025 seeking to block the federalization and deployment of roughly 300 Illinois National Guard members (and referencing about 400 Texas Guard troops) to Chicago; the Pentagon memo reviewed by NPR said those forces were intended to protect federal property and federal immigration officers.
- The administration ordered the federalization of roughly 300 Illinois National Guardsmen despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker's objection, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott authorized calling up about 400 Texas National Guard members, some of whom were slated for deployment to Illinois.
- Gov. J.B. Pritzker publicly labeled the move 'Trump’s Invasion,' called the administration's ultimatum 'absolutely outrageous and un‑American,' and coordinated litigation with Mayor Johnson to try to block the deployments.
- The White House publicly condemned Chicago's executive order (calling it 'a disgusting betrayal of every law‑abiding citizen'), confirmed the president authorized using Illinois National Guard members, and White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson mocked Gov. Pritzker as 'this slob' for rejecting the deployment.
- DHS acknowledged that agents had been 'rammed' and 'boxed in' and that agents shot a woman on Saturday, according to DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
- Related legal context: a U.S. District Judge (Karin Immergut) recently granted a temporary restraining order blocking National Guard deployments to Portland, which figures into concurrent litigation over deployments elsewhere.
📰 Sources (7)
Federal agent says Chicago’s ‘ICE-free zones’ endanger operations, embolden protesters
New information:
- A federal special agent who works deportations in New England told Fox News Digital sanctuary policies that bar ICE from staging on municipal property often force agents to prepare in public venues (e.g., supermarkets, office parks), exposing operations.
- The executive order explicitly prohibits use of city parking lots and garages for civil immigration enforcement staging areas, processing locations or operations bases and enables private businesses to refuse ICE use of their property, per Mayor Johnson.
- The White House issued an explicit, quoted condemnation calling the order 'a disgusting betrayal of every law‑abiding citizen.'
Chicago mayor creates 'ICE-free zones' to block federal agents from city property
New information:
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order establishing 'ICE‑free zones' that prohibit federal immigration agents from using city-owned property for enforcement operations.
- The mayor directed city agencies to identify spaces targeted during past ICE raids and to post notices within five days that such city property will not be used as staging, processing, or operations locations for immigration enforcement.
- The executive order and lawsuit were explicitly coordinated with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who joined litigation attempting to block National Guard deployments to Illinois.
Illinois and Chicago sue the Trump administration over National Guard deployment
New information:
- The complaint text and filing were reported Oct. 6, 2025 (filed Monday), with a direct quote from Illinois AG Kwame Raoul emphasizing the constitutional stakes.
- NPR viewed a Pentagon memo describing the intended use: to protect federal property and federal immigration officers.
- Specific counts of forces: at least 300 Illinois Guard members were federalized and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott approved calling up 400 Texas Guard troops, some slated for Illinois.
- Gov. J.B. Pritzker publicly labeled the move 'Trump’s Invasion' on social media, a notable political framing from the state executive.
Chicago and Illinois sue to block Trump’s Guard deployment plan after Portland ruling
New information:
- Illinois and the City of Chicago filed a federal lawsuit on Oct. 6, 2025 seeking to block the federalization and deployment of roughly 300 Illinois National Guard troops (and referencing ~400 from Texas) to Chicago.
- The article quotes the lawsuit language warning against an 'occupation' and quotes Gov. J.B. Pritzker calling the move 'Trump’s invasion.'
- White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson confirmed the president authorized using Illinois National Guard members; DHS acknowledged agents shot a woman Saturday and said agents had been 'rammed' and 'boxed in'—a statement attributed to DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
- The piece notes recent related legal action: U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut granted a temporary restraining order blocking National Guard deployments to Portland.
Illinois Sues to Block Trump’s National Guard Deployment
New information:
- WSJ reports Illinois officials filed the lawsuit on Monday seeking to block the federalization/deployment.
- Specifies the administration ordered federalization of roughly 300 Illinois National Guardsmen despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker's objection.
- Reports the administration also ordered federalization of about 400 Texas National Guard soldiers for deployment to Chicago.
White House mocks 'slob' Pritzker after he rejects Trump's National Guard plan
New information:
- White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson publicly mocked Gov. J.B. Pritzker, calling him 'this slob' for rejecting the deployment (quote to Fox News Digital).
- Direct on‑the‑record quote from Gov. Pritzker saying the administration's ultimatum was 'absolutely outrageous and un‑American' and labeling the move 'Trump’s Invasion.'
- Article reiterates that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott authorized sending 400 Texas National Guard members to Illinois and Oregon to 'ensure safety for federal officials.'